Apparatus for packaging articles



Jan. 29, 1963 E. w. SWEZEY APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 20, 1959 mmvron. Edwin 14/ Swezcy Mun/7, Ll'ddy, Dan/6].? 3 4/09 197'? OKNE Y5 1963 E. wfswEzEY 3,075,330

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed Nov. 20, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. Edwin W6Z6/V Mari/r, l [dz/y, Daniel? [Marc/7 JZI'UZNEYSUnited States Patent Ofiice 3,075,330 Patented Jan. 29, 1963 3,075,330APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES Edwin W. Swezey, Hackensack, N.J.,assignor, by mesne assignments, to Union Bag-Camp Paper Corporation, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Filed Nov. 20, 1959, Ser. No.854,367 13 Claims. (Cl. 53-184) This invention relates to equipment forautomatically packaging articles in wrappers or packages at leastportions of which are constituted of stretchable and shrinkable plasticmembers, and further relates to methods of packaging articles inwrappers or packages of the above type.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved automaticpackaging apparatus for wrapping or enclosing articles in wrappercomponents of the type including transparent plastic members or portionswhich apparatus is especially compact in its construction and requiresrelatively little space, especially floor space.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automaticpackaging appartaus as above set forth, wherein the packaging of thearticles is characterized by a continuous movement of the packagingmaterial or components in a curved path thereby to effect a relativelyhigh rate of production.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedautomatic packaging machine in accordance with the foregoing, which isefficient in its operation, and effective and reliable in carrying outthe desired packaging procedure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved and novelautomatic packaging machine as above characterized, wherein there isrequired a minimum amount of hand labor, thereby to hold down the laborcosts involved in the packaging.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel andadvantageous automatic packaging machine of. the type outlined, whereina maximum degree of accessibility is had, thereby to simplify adjustmentand servicing operations when these might be required.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedautomatic packaging apparatus in accordance with the foregoing, whichutilizes for the most part components or parts which are not especiallycritical or intricate in construction, or costly to fabricate, therebyenabling the apparatus to be produced at a minimum cost.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improvedautomatic packaging apparatus of the above type, which is relativelysimple and straight-forward in its construction, thereby to insure amaximum degree of reliability and a minimum amount of servicing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple andeffective method for packaging articles, utilizing a packaging orwrapping components or pieces having transparent portions or members inorder to obtain an effective display package.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters ofreference are utilized to designate like components throughout theseveral views, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the improved automatic packagingapparatus as provided by the invention, shown on a reduced scale.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus partly in side elevationand partly in vertical section, the section being taken on the line 3-3of FIG. 1. This figure shows the membrane forming punch in itsinoperative or raised position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the components shownin FIG. 3 but taken at right angles to the section of this previousfigure and showing the forming punch in its lowered, operative position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in verticalsection, of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the section beingtaken on the line 5--5 of FIG.- 1. This figure illustrates a heater ironwhich constitutes the heat-applying fastening means, said iron beingshown in its raised position.

FIG. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, ofthe components shown in FIG. 5, the section being taken at right anglesto the section of FIG. 5 and the heater iron being shown in its lowered,operative position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 77of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the packaging means or component whichis utilized with the present improved apparatus as provided by theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the packaging com- FIG. 11 is aperspective view of the completed package,

and article contained therein, as adapted for display purposes.

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 1212 of FIG.8.

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 13-13 of FIG.9.

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 1414 of FIG.10. v

As mentioned above, the apparatus and method of the invention areconcerned with the packaging of small articles or objects of merchandisein a manner such that the packaged articles are of attractive appearanceand especially suited for display purposes. and method utilizeespecially formed or fabricated wrappers or packaging components of thetype wherein at least a portion is constituted of a transparent plasticor;

equivalent member or membrane which is stretchable and shrinkable, saidmembrane spanning an opening;

formed in a stiff, supporting portion of the component.

Such a component, in various stages of its processing,

is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 14. In FIG. 8vthe component,designated generally by the numeral 20, com prises a relatively stiff,foldable or bendable sheet-like. member or card 22 which is providedwith a through opening 24 disposed in one of two halves 25, 26, the opening 24 being shown in FIG. 8 as disposed in the upper half 25 of themember or card 22.

Overlying a large portion of the surface of the card- 22 is a sheet ofthin, stretchable and shrinkable plastic 28, said plastic having aportion 29 which spans and closes-over the opening 24 The material ofthe plastic sheet 28 may be of any suitable composition, one type ofplastic which has been found to be satisfactory being that commerciallyknown as polyvinyl chloride. [Plastic sheets or membranes of thisformulation may be readily stretched and formed after being heated to anextent. Also, after such forming the plastic may be heat shrunk wherebyit tends to return to its smallest possible size, and in such shrinkingthe sheet or membrane may stretch itself taut about any enrobed object.Thus, when the membrane 24 is heated it may be formed by being displacedlaterally, so as to obtain a pocket-like shape forming a recess 31, asseen in FIG. 9. Such forming of the plastic may be effected by the useof a suitable punch- The apparatus amass-o 3 like tool after the plastichas been heated. Or, it may be effected by subjecting the plastic to adifferential in pressure, as by creating a vacuum at one side of themembrane 24, and this vacuum forming may be utilized in'conjunction withthe above-mentioned punch.

After the membrane 24 has been formed with the pocket 31, an articlewhich is to be wrapped for display, as indicated at 33 in FIG. 10, maybe placed in the pocket. Thereupon the packaging component 20 may befolded about a transverse center line, that is, folded in half toproduce the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 11. Such assemblage may bemade permanent by securing operation, and thereafter the formed membrane24 may be heat shrunk, to cause it to closely conform to the contour ofthe packaged article 33.

The apparatus of the invention involves packaging wrappers or componentssuch as the component 28 illustrated in FIG. 8, and performs operationson said components during which procedure the objects which are to bepackaged are added, and completed packages containing the articles asillustrated in FIG. 11 are discharged from the final station of themachine. The machine is characterized by a continuous movement of thepackaging components in a discontinuous circular path, from the timethat the components are fed to the machine until they are completelyprocessed and discharged therefrom.

In carrying out the processing of the packaging component 20 theapparatus of the invention as illustrated in FIGS, 1 and 2 has aplurality of operation-performing stations located roughly in a circle,and each packaging component 28 when fed into the machine is receivedand carried by a holder which travels in a predetermined circular pathpast the said operation-performing stations. Referring to FIG. 1 andproceeding counterclockwise the apparatus has a component-receivingstation 35, a heating station 37, a membrane-forming station 39, anarticleloading station 41, a component-folding station 43, a fasteningstation 45, a membrane-shrinking station 47, and finally a dischargestation 49. From the time that the packaging component 20 is placed inthe apparatus station 35 until the time that it is discharged at thedischarge station 49, the packaging component is continuously inmovement, and travels in a discontinuous circular path in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

In effecting such path and travel of the packaging components, theapparatus employs a rotary carrier or dial 52 disposed generallyhorizontally and turnably mounted on a framework 54. The rotary carrieror dial 52 as seen in FIG. 2 rests on a central bushing or shoulderedbearing 56 of relatively large diameter, which not only provides astable support for the dial but also enables access to be had to theperipheral portions thereof, as may be readily understood.

On the said peripheral portions of the dial 52 a number of holders 58are provided, said holders being shown as of rectangular configurationand being arranged in radial positions. As seen in FIG. 1, eight holders58 are provided on the dial 52. However, a greater or lesser number maybe utilized, depending upon the required operations which are to beperformed and the desired speed or productivity of the machine. Each ofthe holders 58, see FIGS. 3-7, has in its upper portion a recess 69having generally the shape to which the membrane portion 29 of thepackaging component 20 is to be formed. The recesses 60 are arranged toregister with the openings 24 in the cards 22 of the packagingcomponents, and the latter are placed flat upon the holders, as seen forexample at the stations 37 and 39 in FIG. I. To position the packagingcomponents 28, and for effecting an automatic feeding of the componentsthe holders 58 may be provided with small, angular corner projections62, FIGS. 1 and 3-7, which are arranged to engage corresponding cornerportions of the packaging components. Said components may be fed to anddeposited on the holders 58 by any suitable well-known means which arenot shown herein for the sake of clarity of illustration.

Considering FIGS. 1 and 2, the heating station 37 has an arcuate-shapedradiant heater 64 which may comprise a suitable heat-resistant hood 65in which heating coils 66 are disposed, said coils being connected to asuitable source of energy and being so arranged as to extend over thepath of travel of the membrane portion 29 of the packaging component.Accordingly, after the components are loaded on the holder at thestation 35, the first operation at the station 37 will heat themembranes 29 in readiness of forming of the same at the forming station39.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 at the forming station 39 there is provided aforming punch 68, which is mounted on and depends from a plunger plate69 reciprocated vertically by a plunger rod 71 secured to a piston 72which latter is reciprocable in a vertically disposed cylinder 73arranged to receive fluid for actuating the piston. The cylinder 73 isrigidly mounted on a pivoted arm 75 which is carried by a vertical shaft76 having upper and lower bearing points in the machine frame 54. Thecylinder-carrying arm 75 has a limited arcuate movement, and is steadiedin the horizontal plane by a track segment 78 carried by the machineframe 54, and by rollers 88 engageable with the upper and lower surfacesof the track 78 and mounted on the end of the arm.

By such organization the forming punch 68 may travel in a curved pathsimultaneously with the holders 58 and components 20 carried therebyduring the forming of the membrane portions 29 of the components.

The plunger plate 69 may be provided with a spring pad 82, FIGS. 3 and4, carried by vertical slide bars 84 passing through the plunger plate6-9, helical compression springs 86 being provided on the bars 84 tonormally urge the pressure pad 82 in a downward direction. The undersideof the pad 82 may have a resilient facing member 88, as for example asheet formed of sponge rubber or similar material. With suchorganization the packaging component 20 will be initially engaged firstby the pressure pad 82, 88 as the punch 68 is made to descend, andthereafter engagement will take place between the punch and the membraneportion 29 of the component 20. With the membrane pre-heated, continueddownward movernent of the punch 68 will effect a secure clamping of thecomponent 20 by the pressure pad 82, 88 while at the same time themembrane 29 will be stretched and formed by the punch. To supplement theforming action of the punch 68 a vacuum is created in the recesses 60 ofthe holders 58 as the latter traverse the forming station 39.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, channels 90 are provided in the holders 58,communicating with manifold passages 91 which in turn communicates withbores 92 provided in fittings 93 utilized to secure the holders 58 tothe dial. The fittings pass through the dial 52, as shown, and alsosecure in place a flat circular rubber sealing member 95 which isdisposed at the underside of the dial 92.

At the forming station 39 an arcuate vacuum chamber 97 is provided underthe dial 52 and connected by means of a suitable line 98 with a vacuumproducing means such as a vacuum pump. The vacuum chamber 97 has apassage 100 arranged to communicate with the bores of the fittings 93 asthe latter, dial 52 and sealing member 95 travel Over the vacuum chamber97. Thus, as the forming station 39 a vacuum is introduced into the recesses 60 of the holders 58, which supplements the forming action of thepunch 68 and effectively forms a pocket shape in the membrane 29, asseen in FIG. 9.

The descending or advancing movement of the punch 68, and also theraising or retracting movement of the sameis effected by thepiston-and-cylinder assemblage 72, 73 as controlled by solenoid valves102 (FIG. 2), which in turn may be under the control of electricalswitches 104 and 105 mounted on the machine frame 54 and actuated by theholders 58 as the dial 52 turns. The switches 104 and 105 are soarranged that as a holder 58 and packaging component 20 carried therebyenter the forming station 39 the punch 68 Will be made to descend, andas the holder and packaging component leave the forming station aftercompletion of the forming of the membrane portion 29 the punch 68 willbe raised. It is understood that during the lowered position of thepunch 68 it will travel with the holder 58 and packaging component, thecarrier arm 75 pivotally moving as permitted by the shaft 76 carryingthe arm. The said travelling movement of the punch 68 and arm 75 iseffected in a novel manner, in accordance with the invention, as will belater brought out in detail.

Upon a holder 58 and packaging component 20 leaving the forming station39 after forming of the membrane portion 29 they enter thearticle-loading station or area 41 where the articles 33 are depositedin the pockets 31 formed in the membranes. The loading of the articles33 may be done manually by an operator, or else such loading anddepositing of the articles may be effected by an automatic well-knownloading device, details of which are not shown herein for purposes ofclarity of illustration.

After the articles 33 have been loaded into the pockets 31 of thepackaging components the folding station 43 is entered. At this stationthere are provided three folding rails 108, 109 and 110, which arefixedly carried by the machine frame 54 through the medium of adjustablesupporting rods 112, 113 and 114 respectively, The initial or firstfolding rail 108 has a pilot portion 115-which is arranged to extendunder the lower halves 26 (see FIG. 8) of the packaging components andinto clearance slots 117 provided in the holders 58, as the latter andpackaging components carried thereby advance upon the first rail. Thecomponents 20 may be provided with score lines 119, 120 to facilitatethe folding of the components by the rails 108, 109 and 110. Referringto FIG. 1 the rail 108, 115 is shown as about to be received in a slot117 of the adjacent holder 58, under the packaging component 20 carriedthereby. Also, the folding bar 109 is shown as having folded a halfportion 26 of the component 20 to a position beyond a 90 angle. In thisfigure the folding bar 110 is also illustrated as having completed thefolding of the half 26 of a preceding component 20, so that the saidcomponent is folded completely in half.

After the folding station 43 there may be optionally provided a creasingstation 120 in the form of a roller 121 disposed immediately over thepath of the crease 122 of the folded packaging component. The roller 121may be rotatably carried by a suitable bracket support fixedly mountedon the machine frame 54. In passingv under the roller 121 the fold ofthe folded component 20 will be tightly creased.

I After creasing, the folded components 20 pass to the fastening station45, where the two folded halves of the components are secured together,and this is preferably accomplished by the application of heat andpressure to the folded components. It will be noted from an inspectionof FIGS. 8-14 that when the packaging component 20 is folded, theplastic sheet 28 will be folded on itself with the opposed surfaces inengagement with each other. Under such circumstances, the application ofheat and pressure will cause a fusion of the two folded halves of thecomponents 20. In applying heat and pressure, the invention provides atthe fastening station 45 a heater 124 from which there depend rigidU-shaped members or irons 125 and 126, this assemblage being carried bya plunger plate 128 supported by vertical slide rods 130 passing througha bearing member 132 on which there is mounted a cylinder-and-pistonassemblage 134 having a piston rod 135 rigidly secured to the plungerplate 128. The said plate also mountsdepending brackets 137 at the lowerextremities of which rollers 139 are carried, the

said rollers being adapted to engage oppositely facing surfaces 141 ofthe holders 58 when the plunger plate 128, heater124 and irons '125, 126are in the lowered positions illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. By suchorganization a drive is established between the turning dial 52 and theassemblage or components'including the irons 125, 126 andpiston-cylinder assemblage 134 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The pistoncylinder assemblage 134 is carried by a pivotally mounted arm 141 whichis secured to .the vertical shaft 76. Preferably, as shown, the arm 144extends opposite to the arm 75, and since both arms are secured to theshaft 76 the drive which is effected by the rollers 139 engaging theopposite surfaces 141 of each holder 58 as it passes through thefastening station 45, in accordance with the present invention, effectsthe arcuate shifting movement of the forming punch 68 described above.

The heater irons 125, 126 are lowered and raised by means of thecylinder-and-piston assemblage 134, and this is under the control ofsolenoid valves 143, FIG. 2, which in turn are controlled by electricalswitches 145, 146 mounted on the machine frame 54 and arranged to beactuated by each of the holders 58 as it passes along the fasteningstation 45. Thus, upon a holder 58 entering the station 45 the heatedirons 125, 126 will be lowered, engaging the folded components 20 andfastening the folded halves together by a heat-fusion process. At thesame time the rollers 139 engaging the opposite surfaces 141 of theholders will effect a drive of the pivoted arms 75, 144, and during thearcuate movement of the pivoted arms the irons 125, 126 will remain inengagement withv the folded component, to fasten the two halves thereoftogether. Simultaneously with this operation the forming punch 68 willbe lowered and made to travel with the'.

electrical switch 146. The cylinder assemblage 150 is: connected througha suitable piston rod 152 and arm 154 to the shaft 76 to effectclockwise turning movement of the shaft and the arms 75, 144, as viewedin FIG. 1.

Upon the holder 58 and folded components 20 leaving the fasteningstation 45 they enter the shrinking station 47, where heated air may bedirected against the formed membranes 29, to heat shrink the same. Suchheated airmay be supplied by one or several jets or orifices directedagainst the bottom of the dial 52 so as to strike the fittings 93. Or, aheat chamber 156 similar to the vacuum.

chamber 97 may be provided under the dial 52 and connected with asuitable source of heated air under pressure.

The action of the heated air on the formed membranev 29 will effect arapid shrinking of the latter, whereby it will closely conform to thecontour of the packaged article 33 as illustrated in FIG. 13.

\At the ejection station 49 the package and contained article may bedischarged from the holders 58 by any suitable means. g a As with thepivoted arm 75, the arm 144 may be steadied by a track sector 160mounted on the machine frame 54, and by rollers 161 carried by the arm144 and engaging the upper and lower sides of the sector 160.

. In accordance with the invention the dial 52 is driven by powerapplied to the peripheral portions thereof. As seen in FIG. 2, theunderside of the dial is provided with gear elements or teeth 163 whichmay be formed on gear sectors forming a complete spur gear. The gearteeth 163 may be engaged by 'a suitable pinion carried on a motor shaft166 powered by an electric gearhead motor 168, as seen in FIG. 2. Withsuch organization a positive drive is established to the dial 52 and butlittle space is required in effecting the turning movement andtransmission for driving the dial.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that we have provided asimple and eifective apparatus and method for Wrapping or packagingsmall articles or objects of merchandise, utilizing a packagingcomponent which has at least a portion in the form of a transparentplastic membrane adapted to be stretched and shrunk whereby the packageand article is especially suited for display purposes. The apparatus iseffective and reliable in its operation, and has a relatively highproductivity, being characterized by a continuous movement of thepackaging component in a circular path, during which the operations areperformed on the components to package the desired articles.

In accordance with the method of the invention, the packaging components20 are carried in a predetermined circular path, and while continuouslymoving are subjected to a heating operation, a membrance-formingoperation, thereafter receiving the articles to be packaged, and thenproceeding to a folding operation, a creasing operation and a fasteningoperation, and finally a heat shrinking operation whereby the formedmembrane is shrunk and stretched taut about the packaged article. Themethod is effective and simple to practice.

By virtue of the rotary dial and circular arrangement of theoperation-performing stations the apparatus is compact and relativelysmall in size, and requiring a minimum amount of fioor space. Moreover,the various operationperforming stations are readily accessible and maybe easily adjusted as required. No special or intricate, costlycomponents are required in the fabrication of the apparatus, and thedesired packaging operations are carried out in a reliable manner.

Variations and modifications may be made Within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for automatically packaging articles comprising a holderarranged to receive and support thereon a single unitary foldablepackaging card component of the type having an opening in it and havinga stretchable and shrinkable plastic membrane spanning said opening,said holder having a recess formed therein adapted to register with thesaid opening, a turnable dial for effecting a continuous travel of theholder in a predetermined circular path past a plurality ofoperation-performing stations located roughly in a circle about saiddial, power means for continuously rotating said dial at a predeterminedconstant rate, automatic means for heating the membrane of the packagecomponent as the holder moves past a heating station in said path,automatic forming means including an arm rotatably journaled in spacedrelationship with said dial, a punch means connected to one end of saidarm and rendered operative for forming a pocket in said heated membraneby forcing the same into the holder recess as the holder moves past aforming station in said path, a loading station for inserting an articleinto the pocket formed in said membrane, automatic means comprising astationary arm engageable with the card component for folding saidcomponent onto itself while on the holder and without tilting of theholder to close over the formed membrane so as to encase the articletherein as the holder moves past a folding station in said path,automatic means for securing together the folded portion of the foldedcomponent as the latter is carried by the holder and said holder movespast a fastening station in said path, said securing means including asealing heater operatively connected to the other end of said arm, meansfor coupling said arm to said dial when said punch and sealing heaterare rendered operative whereby said arm is driven with said dial througha predetermined angular distance to effect the forming and securing ofthe card component at its respective station without interruption in themovement of said dial, and automatic means for heating the formedmembrane to heat shrink it as the holder moves past a shrinking stationin said path.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there are twopiston-and-cylinder assemblages carried respectively by the said arm foreffecting advancing movement of the punch and sealing heater withrespect to the dial, and in which there is a common control meansassociated with the said assemblages.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which the control meansincludes a solenoid valve common to both said piston-and-cylinderassemblages.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the rotatably journaledarm is carried by a single common shaft, and in which there is apiston-and-cylinder assemblage drivingly connected with the said shaftfor effecting a return movement of the pivoted arms and the punch andheated iron carried thereby.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the powered meansincludes a mechanical transmission having gear elements extending aroundthe peripheral portions of the said dial.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the means for heatingthe membrane includes an arcuateshaped radiant heater disposed above thesaid turnable dial and over the circular path of the holder.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the means for heatingthe formed membrane to heat-shrink it includes an opening passingthrough the said dial and communicating with the recess of the holder,and includes an arcuate chamber disposed below the dial and arranged tocommunicate with said opening as the dial is made to turn.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is means foreffecting a tight crease in the folded component, said means comprisinga turnable roller fixedly mounted above the dial and adapted to engagethe fold of the folded component.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which said arm is disposedabove the turnable dial and has a pivotal axis substantially coincidingwith the axis of the dial.

10. The invention as defined in claim 1 including apparatus for creatinga suction in the recess of the said holder, to cause the membrane of thepackaging component to be sucked into the recess, said apparatusincluding a vacuum chamber disposed below the turnable dial andincluding a circular sealing element arranged between the vacuum chamberand the dial to minimize leakage of fluid into the vacuum chamber.

11. An apparatus for automatically packaging an article in a cardpackage of the type formed of a card blank having an opening to define awindow therein and having a stretchable and shrinkable plastic membranespanning said opening through which the article may be viewed in thefinished package, comprising a turnable dial; a plurality of operationperforming stations circumferentially spaced about said dial; aplurality of holders, each adapted for carrying the card blank,circumferentially spaced on said dial, each of said holders having arecess therein conforming in shape to the opening formed in the cardcarried thereby, means for continuously rotating said dial forsuccessively passing each of said holders and card blank carried therebythrough each of said stations, said stations including a station forforming a pocket in the plastic membrane adaptable for receiving thereinthe article to be packaged, a loading station for positioning an articlein said pocket, a station for folding the card over onto itself toenclose an article placed in said pocket, and a station for fasteningthe folded card, said pocket forming station and fastening station beingopposed on said dial, a cross arm extending between said forming stationand said fastening station; means for rotatably mounting said cross armin spaced relationship to said dial, a reciprocal punch meansoperatively associated with the holder in the forming station, saidpunch means being connected to one end of said arm, a reciprocatingsealing means operatively associated with the holder in the fasteningstation, said sealing means being connected to the other end of the arm,means for simultaneously actauting said punch means and sealing means toeffect simultaneous forming of the pocket in the card in the formingstation and sealing of the card in fastening station; and meansconnected to said sealing unit to engage the holder passing through saidfastening station whereby said arm is coupled to said dial to movetherewith through a predetermined angular distance sufiicient for thepunch means and sealing means connected thereto to form the pocket andmake the seal in card on which they operate in their respectivestations, and means for returning said arm to its start position.

1-2. An apparatus for automatically packaging an article in a cardpackage of the type formed of a card blank having an opening therein todefine a window therein and having a stretchable and shrinkable plasticmembrane spanning said opening through which the article may be viewedin the finished package, comprising a turnable dial; a plurality ofoperation performing stations circumferentially spaced about said dial;a plurality of holders, each adapted for carrying the card blank,circumferentially spaced on said dial, each of said holders having arecess therein conforming in shape to the opening formed in the cardcarried thereby, means for continuously rotating said dial at a constantrate for successively passing each of said holders and card blankcarried thereby through each of said stations, said stations including astation for forming a pocket in the plastic membrane adaptable forreceiving therein the article to be packaged, a loading station forpositioning an article in said pocket, a station for folding the cardover onto itself to enclose an article placed in said pocket, and astation for fastening the folded card, said pocket forming station andfastening station being diametrically opposed on said dial, a cross armextending diametrically of said dial between said forming station andsaid fastening station, means for rotatably mounting said arm in spacedrelationship to said dial, a reciprocating punch means movable betweenlowered operative position and raised inoperative position operativelyassociated with the holder in the forming station, said punch meansbeing connected to one end of said arm, a reciprocating sealing meansmovable between lowered operative position and raised inoperativeposition operatively associated with the holder in the fasteningstation, said sealing means being connected to the other end of the arm,means for simultaneously actuating said punch means and sealing means tolowered position to effect simultaneous forming of the pocket in thecard in the forming station and sealing of the card in fasteningstation; and means for coupling said cross arm to said dial when saidpunch means and sealing means are lowered to operative position wherebysaid cross arm moves through a predetermined angular distance sutlicientfor the punch means and sealing means connected thereto to form thepocket and make the seal in card on which they operate in theirrespective stations, and means for retaining said arm to its startposition.

13. Apparatus for automatically packaging articles comprising a holderarranged to receive and support thereon a single unitary foldablepackaging card component of the type having an opening in it and havinga stretchable and shrinkable plastic membrane spanning said opening,said holder having a recess formed therein adapted to register with thesaid opening, a turnable dial for effecting repetitive travel of theholder in a predetermined circular path past a plurality ofoperation-performing stations located roughly in a circle about saiddial, power means for rotatinng said dial at a predetermined rate,automatic means for heating the membrane of the package component as theholder moves past a heating station in said path, automatic formingmeans including an arm rotatably journaled in spaced relationship withsaid dial, a punch means connected to one end of said arm and renderedoperative for forming a pocket in said heated membrane by forcing thesame into the holder recess as the holder moves past a forming stationin said path, a loading station for inserting an article into the pocketformed in said membrane, automatic means comprising a stationary armengageable with the card component for folding said component ontoitself while on the holder and without tilting of the holder to closeover the formed membrane so as to encase the article therein as theholder moves past a folding station in said path, automatic means forsecuring together the folded portion of the folded component as thelatter is carried by the holder and said holder moves past a fasteningstation in said path, said securing means including a sealing heateroperatively connected to the other end of said arm, means for couplingsaid arm to said dial when said punch and sealing heater are renderedoperative whereby said arm is driven with said dial through apredetermined angular distance to effect the forming and securing of thecard component at its respective station, and automatic means forheating the formed membrane to heat shrink it as the holder moves past ashrinking station in said path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,091,568 Garfield et al. Mar. 31, 1914 1,960,959 Sague May 29, 19342,210,509 Strauch Aug. 6, 1940 2,242,304 Johnson May 20, 1941 2,298,363Ganz Oct. 13, 1942 2,491,424 Stalter Dec. 13, 1949 2,513,852 DonofrioJuly 4, 1950 2,577,249 Jenett Dec. 4, 1951 2,678,046 Finke Dec. 28, 19542,697,901 Hosack Dec. 28, 1954 2,896,387 Brock July 28, 1959 2,904,943Dreyfus et al Sept. 22, 1959 2,934,867 Vogt May 3, 1960 2,970,414 RohdinFeb. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 141,419 Australia June 4, 1951 576,857Canada June 2, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Modern Packaging, pages 84 and 85,March 1959.

13. APPARATUS FOR AUTMOATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES COMPRISING A HOLDERARRANGED TO RECEIVE AND SUPPORT THEREON A SINGLE UNITARY FOLDABLEPACKAGING CARD COMPONENT OF THE TYPE HAVING AN OPENING IN IT AND HAVINGA STRETCHABLE AND SHRINKABLE PLASTIC MEMBRANE SPANNING SAID OPENING,SAID HOLDER HAVING A RECESS FORMED THEREIN ADAPTED TO REGISTER WITH THESAID OPENING, A TURNABLE DIAL FOR EFFECTING REPETITIVE TRAVEL OF THEHOLDER IN A PREDETERMINED CIRCULAR PATH PAST A PLURALITY OFOPERATION-PERFORMING STATIONS LOCATED ROUGHLY IN A CIRCLE ABOUT SAIDDIAL, POWER MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID DIAL AT A PREDETREMINED RATE,AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR HEATING THE MEMBRANE OF THE PACKAGE COMPONENT AS HEHOLDER MOVES PAST A HEATING STATION IN SAID PATH, AUTOMATIC FORMINGMEANS INCLUDING AN ARM ROTABLY JOURNALED IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITHSAID DIAL, A PUNCH MEANS CONNECTED TO ONE END OF SAID ARM AND RENDEREDOPERATIVE FOR FORMING A POCKET IN SAID HEATED MEMBRANE BY FORCING THESAME INTO THE HOLDER RECESS AS THE HOLDER MOVES PAST A FORMING STATIONIN SAID PATH, A LOADING STATION FOR INSERTING AN ARTICLE INTO THE PACKETFORMED IN SAID MEMBRANE, AUTOMATIC MEANS COMPRISING A STATIONARY ARMENGAGEABLE WITH THE CARD COMPONENT FOR FOLDING SAID COMPONENT ONTOITSELF WHILE ON THE HOLDER AND WITHOUT TILTING OF THE HOLDER TO CLOSEOVER